Retinal Circulation before and after Carotid Artery Stenting

Abstract

We examined the relation between carotid stenosis rate and arm-to-retina circulation time (A-R time) and retinal circulation time (RC time) in patients with carotid artery stenosis and evaluated changes before and after carotid artery stenting (CAS). Twenty-six patients, 22 men and 4 women ranging in age from 56 to 86 years (mean 72 years), with carotid artery stenosis were examined. A-R time and RC time were demonstrated by fluorescein angiography. Twenty patients out of 26 were also examined after CAS. The side of carotid artery stenosis consisted of right in 11 and left in 15 of 26 patients. Seventeen patients were symptomatic (amaurousis fugax in 4), 9 patients were asymptomatic. The ratio of carotid stenosis was 62% to 95% (NASCET), mean 79±7.6%. A-R time was 12.8 seconds (sec) to 32.2 sec, mean 24.6±5.6 sec. Twenty-four of 26 (92.3%) patients presented delayed A-R time. RC time was 6.4 sec to 42.1 sec, and the mean was 19.3±8.9 sec. Twenty-three of 26 (88.5%) patients presented delayed RC time. In comparison of before and after CAS, RC time was significantly reduced after CAS (p＜0.05, paired t-test).
The measurement of retinal circulation by fluorescein angiography was useful to evaluate carotid artery stenosis.